Automatic ribbon-reversing mechanism for type-writing machines.



G. M. KITZMIL'LEN AUTOMATIC RIBBON REVERSING MEGHANISM POR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1, 1909. 942,383. v Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

GEORGE IVI. KITZMILLIER,

OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC RIBBON-REVERSING MECHANISM FOR. TYPE-WRITING MACHINES..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

.Application filed September 1, 1909. Serial No. 515,712.

To all whom it may concern: A

. Be itknown thatfI, GEORGE M. KITZMIL- Lnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of ANorfollnin the county of Norfolk and' State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful lmproveme'nts in Automatic Ribbon -Reversing Mechanism for r115fpe-Triting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

y invention relates to automat-ic ribbonreversing mechanism for typewriting 'machilies.'

In the present instance l have applied my Vinvention to a typewriter of the Well known `emington class, though it is obvious that my inventionmay be applied to other types of writing machine by slight changes in details of iconstruction, and rearrangement of `parts without depart-ing from the spiritof my invention. l

The object of my invention is to produce a positive automatic reverse of the direction of the ribbon when it has been unwound from one spool and wound on the other spool, without tension on the ribbon. Also, toa provide means for shifting thev ribbon travel by hand when desired.

In fthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a typewritingmachine with my invention applied, all parts not.- necessary to illustrate the same, having been removed. Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe cylinder. Fig. 3 is a plan view Aof the cylinder showing .the slots and impinger holes: Fig. 1 is "ew ot' the endplate of thecylinder. a ,part'sectionalview ofthe ribbon follower, arm and bearing.' Fig'. 6 is an edge'view of the curved platel with incliued 'faces or edges.` Fig. 17 is an end view# of the actuating'rodand ring. Fig. 8 is a` plan view of thespring-drum barrel withthe spring drum removed. Fig. 9 is a plan view of 'the iinpinging pin retaining plate. Fig. 10is a view of the ribbon' follower tubular shaft showing-threads longitudinally thereof. Fig; 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the actuating arm showing` the screw and tubular shaft.. Fig. 12 is a modified form of arm' and follower.` |Fig. 13 is a right and*left-liandworm. Fig. 14C is a side elevation of the power-shaft, drivinggears, motor spring gear, cylinder, actuating ring, campement," type-bar, key-lever, runiversal bar, ribbon-spool, tubular'shafuts, fol-i 4 lower fand-gear. Fig. I'uis asideelevation of ka modified form 'of the; followerand arm. Y

Fig. 16 'is a view of the retaining latch and disk with oppositely-acting inclined faces. All parts in Fig. 14 not necessary to illustrate my invention have been omitted.

Similar reference characters refer to similar arts.

Figure 1 is an embodiment of one form of my invention, consisting ofanA endwise movable geardriven powershaft 1. movably supported inthe bearing posts or hangers 2,

and 2a, and is provided with bevel-gears 3f and 3?, at or near. its ends, which mesh With the bevel-gears l. and l, (secured to the spool shafts 5, and according to the direction of the ribbon travel. A rotary motion is imparted te the power-shaft 1, bythe gears. and T, which rot-ate the shaft in the direction indicated by the arrow 8. The gear 6, is mounted in a longitudinal groove (not shown) on the shaft 1', so as to permit the shaft' 1, to be shifted endwise, while the gear 6, is held from such endwise move- Yment. by the fork 9, allowing a free vrotation by the action of the spring-drum gear 7.

An intermittent feed is transmitted to the ribbon spools 10 and 10a' by the action of the key-lever 11, universal bar 12, escapement 13, motor+spring 1l, gears T, and 6, and gears 3, and 4', and 4a (Fig. l); according to' the direction of the ribbon travel.

Mounted on the 'shaft 1. is a cylinder 15, provided with a pair of im'pingers or impinging pins 16, and 16a, which are held in .normal position by the springs -17r and l17", and the retaining plate 18. The plate V118, is provided -Awith slots 1:9, and 19a.l

for the reception rof the inclined portion of the impingerss'l, and 16a, and to vpreventthem from leaving their seat. The cylinder 15, vis also provided with a springpressed latch 20,.-adaptedto maintain the shifted position ofthe shaft 1 as will be4 .further explained. Mounted on the shaft 1i, and extending into the cylinder 15, is a tubular shaft 21, driven also from the gear 7, byl its gear 22. -The direction of rotation yof theshaft 21, however, is opposite to that of the shaft Las indicated by the arrow 23.,

The shaft 21, and its gear 22, are held from ,Mounted on the shaft 21, within the cylinder 15, a` plate 35p, provided -with oppositelyacting inclined ffaces; these faces lbeing lo-l cated so` yas to eoact with the impingerslt and 16%. i

"1&5 .endwise movement by the bracket L24.'

. Surrounding .the cylinder 15', is a transthe arms 32 and 32a,

` 35 and 35a.

tudinally thereon,

i construction which shows one form of embodiment of my invention, I will proceed.

verselyxmovable ring, or band, 26, which rei ceives its motion from the transversely movable rod 27, movably supported in the brackets 28 and 28, the rod 27, coacting with 29 and 29a, which are mounted on, and movable with the'tubular shafts 30 and 30a, which are mounted in suitable brackets, and form a bearing for the spool shafts 5 and 5a.I The arms 29 and 29, are located 1o neXtvthe spool shaft gears 4 and 4a. AMounted on, and also movable with th`e tubu lar shafts 30 and 30a, neXt the ribbon-spools, are the arms 31 and 31a. Secured to the frame or tubular shaft support, are stationary arms forminor a support for the bearings 33 and 33a see Fig. 5), which are screwed into the free end of the stationary arms 32 and 32, forming a bearing for the short tubular shafts 34 and 34 and the arms The tubular shafts 34 and 34, are provided with screw threads cut longiafter described.- -A screw 36, passes through the hub 37, and engages the longitudinal '25 threads 3S (Fig. 10) for the purpose hereinvafter explained. The screw 36, is

witli'a flange or disk 39 (Fig. 11

rovided behind which is placed a pin 40, to prevent. the"V rious changes in details of construction and screw from leaving the hub 37.

Having given a general description of a to describe the operation thereof. Fig. 1 shows the reverse as just having been effected. We will assume in the usual operation of the machine, the ribbon has been unwound, for instance, from the spool 10, and hasbeen wound on the spool 10?". As the ribbon continuesto wind on the spool 40 10, the follower, or arm 41, is ,forced from toward .the center of the spool, forcing the free end of the arm 35, against the free end ofthe arm 31a, which being secured to the tubular shaft 30a, forces thefree end of the 45 arm 29,'against the .end of the rod 27|, which in turn forces the ring or band 26, against the' inclinedI portion of ,the impnger 16.

The pin 16, is forced against the tension of the spring 17, until its-end projects a sufficient distance to engage the inclined face 42,

ofthe inclined-faced plate 351. The shaft 1,

rotating in one direction, and the shaft 21, ,in the opposite direction, foreesthe shaft 1, and cylinder 15, with it, endwise, or trans veisely of the machine, causing the gears 3 and 4 to mesh and the gears 3"L and 4a' to disenga'ge, thereby reversing the direction of the ribbon travel. After the reverse. has been effected, the spring 17, causes the ifnfo pinger 16, to return to normal position.

The ring 26, is prevented from a continued contact with the impinger 16, by the collar 43, striking' the bracket 28. In the shifting operation, the latch 20, is lifted over the disk '65 .44, which maintains the shifted position offor the purpose herein-y theshaft 1. It is understood that the disk 44, and latch A20, rotate in opposite directions. The impinger 16, having been returned by the action of the spring 17, the shifting of the power shaft 1, may be efi fected by hand, if desired. Should it be desired tocause the reverse to become effective i nearer or farther from the end of the ribbon, the screw 36 may be turned either one way or the other, as desired, whereby .the arm 35, is caused to contact with the arm 31, sooner or later, accordingly as the screw 36 is moved. Y

While I have preferred to use a plate (see Figs. 1 and 6), I am not confined to such, as I may desire to use a .right and left hand worm, similar to that shown in Fig. 13. Likewise I may desire to use thefollower .and arm shown in Figs. 12 and 15, in which bearing below and -horizontal to the spool shaft, and the follower 41, would assume a more vertical position on the folds of the ribbon next the outside of the machine. l'. .may also desire to use the form of disk and latch shown in Fig. 16.

It is to be understood that there are varearrangement of parts which I may make without departing from the spirit of my invention, which embodies the broad idea of using means to 'automatically reverse the directionvof the ribbon travel at variable distances from the end of the ribbon.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire ,to secure by Letters Patent, isl 1. In a typewriting machine and iii a'ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination with ribbon-spools, of power-.driven devices provided with shifting means, means for rotating said devices in opposite directions,

and means controlled by the ribbon-spools for operatively connecting said devices.

2. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, power-driven devices provided with shifting means, gears for rotat- Ving said devices in op osite directions, and means controlled by tie ribbon to connect the said devices.

3. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-'reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, shafts, one surrounding the `other, means for rotating said shafts in posite directions, a deviceliaving o positelyacting shifting meansttliereon, au mounted on and rotating with one of said shafts, and means controlled by the ribbon fomo'peratively connecting said shafts.

bon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, an eiidwise shiftable rotatable shaft, a non-shiftable shaft mounted on, and revolving in a direction opposite to event the shaft 30, would be provided with g g5 4. In a typewriting machine and in a ribo surrounding the shiftable shafntkineaxisr for that of the shiftable shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and devices coperatingy with the ribbon-spools for operatively connecting the shafts for the purpose specified.

5. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbonreversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, an endW'ise-movable rota-v table shaftendwise shifting means mounted on said shaft, means for rot-ating said shaft.

in one direction and the Ameans mounted thereon in the opposite diretion, engaging devices revolving Wit-h the movable shaft, and means controlled b the ribbon for operativelylconnecting sai shifting means and said engaging devices.

6. In a typewriting machine and 1n a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination fao shafts, and means controlled by the ribbonr to connectsaid shafts for the purpose specified. I

8. In a :typeyvritin'g `machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, an endWise-movablegearcarrying, gear-driven poWer-shaft-,la geardriven non-shiftable shaft mounted on and revolving infa direction opposite to that of vthejshift-able shaft, means for rotatingfsaid shafts, ineans controlled by the ribbon to connect said shafts to reverse the ribbon, and

`mechanism for completing and maintaining the reverse'gx; a A I 9.' In a.typewriting.machineand in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the, ,combination shaft in a direction opposite to its direction 4 of. rotation, means foi rotating said shafts ofl ribbon-spools, agear A-carrying geardriven shiftable shaft, Aa non-shiftable shaft rotating said shafts in opposite directions, and devices revolving on Asaid sha-fts'con- .trolled by the ribbon for 'reversing the longitudinal travel thereof.`

l0. In a typewritingimachine and in a rib'- bon-reversing mechanism, the'combinat'ion of ribbonspools, a gear carrying, Vgeardriven shiftable shaft, a non-shiftablesliaft surrounding and,revolving on said shiftable from the spring-drum, a device provided with oppositely-acting inclined faces mount? ed on and movable with said non-shiftable* cylinder l'secured to and movable with the shaft, and devices revolving With and on the shiftable shaft, controlled by the ribbon, for causing the shiftable shaft to move endwise andfreve-rse the longitudinal travel of the ribbon.

ll. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon spools, a gearcarrying, geardriven shiftable shaft, a non-shiftableshaft mounted on said shiftable shaft, means for rotating said shafts from the spring-drum in opposite directions, a device provided with oppositely-acting inclined faces mounted on and movable with said non-shiftable shaft, and devicesl revolving on, and shiftable with the' shiftable shaft, controlled by the ribbon for causing the shftable shaft. to move endwise and reverse the longitudinal travel of the ribbon.

12. In a typewriting machine and in a ribs bon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, a gear-carrying, geardriven shiftable shaft, a gear-driven'nonsliiftable shaft mounted on, and revolving` in a direction opposite to that of the shiftable shaft, a device vprovided with oppositely-acting. inclined faces mounted on and rotating with said non-shiftable shaft, a cylindrical member secured to and movable with the 'shiftable shaft surrounding the non-shiftable shaft, impingers mounted in said cylinder, and means controlled by the ribbon for causing said impingcrs to coact 'with the inclined faces for reversing the ribbon travel.

13. In a typenf'riting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination ,of' ribbon-spools, a gear-carrying, gear- .driven'sliiftable shaft, a gear-driven non- Ashiftableshaft mounted on and rcvolublc around said, shiftable shaft. in a reverse directionr to its rotation, a device provided with oppositely-acting inclined faces mountedv on and rotatingivith said 'non-'shiftabie shaft, disk ,on said non-sliiftable shaft surrounding the non-shiftable shaft, a cvlinableshaft surrounding the non-shiftable sha-ft, spring-pressed impingers mounted in and 'revolving with said cylinder, a` springpressed latch coacting with said disk, and

',mea'ns controlled by the ribbon for causing a cooperation of the parts for the purpose l specified.

" '14. Ina typewriting machine and in a ribfboi'if-rversing mechanism, the combination of "'iibboii spools, a gearcarryingvv Oearbib "driven shif'table shaft, a gear-driven non 'shiftable shaft mounted ou and revolving around said shiftable shaft in a reverse directio'n to its rotatioma device provided with oppositely-acting inclined faces mounted on and rotating 'with said non-shiftable shaft, a disk on said non-shiftable shaft, a

der secured to and movable with the shiftshiftable shaft surrounding the, non-shiftable shaft, spring-pressed impingers mounted in and revolving with said cylinder, a spring-pressed latch coacting with said disk, and a ring or band surroundingsaid cylinder, controlled by the ribbon, for causing a coperation of the parts for the'purpose p, specified.

f f15. In a typewriting machine and 1n a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination of ribbon-spools, a gear-carrying, geardriven .shiftable shaft, a gear-driven nonshifta'ble sliaft. mounted on and revolving around said shiftable shaft in a reverse direction to its rotation, a device provided with oppositely-acting' inclined faces mounted on and rotatin with said non-shiftable shaft,A a disk on said non-shiftable shaft, a cylinder secured to and movable with the shiftable shaft surrounding the non-shiftable shaft, spring-pressed impingers mounted in and revolving with said cylinder,l a springpressed latch coact'ing with saidv disk, a ring or band Surrounding said cylinder, a transversely-movable rod attached to said rinv'or band, and means controlled by the ribbon folds to actuate said rod, whereby operative connections are made to reverse the travel of the ribbon.

16. In a typewrit-ing machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination with a ribbon and ribbon-s ools, means vfor'rotating said spools, means or reversing the rotation of said spools, and means adjustable with a screw 'for varying the distance from the end of the ribbon at'which the reverse shall become effective.

17. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination with a ribbon and ribbon-spools, of means for rotating said spools, and means for reversing the rotation of said spools, the

last named means comprising an arm or follower bearing on the ribbon folds, adjustable by a screw, to vary the distance from the end of` the ribbon at which the reverse shall become edective.

18. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination with a ribbon and ribbon-spools, of means for rotating said spools, and means for reversing the rotation of said spools, the last named means comprising an arm or follower having a bearing portion, and a screw passing over and at right-angles to said bearing adapted to move the follower n'earer or farther from the 'ribbon folds for varying the distance from the end of the ribbon at which the reverse shall become effective. i

19. In a typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combina-l tion with .a ribbon and ribbon-spools, of

means for rotating said spools, and means for reversing the rotation of said spools, the

last named means comprising a tubular shaft surrounding the spool shaft, arms on said shaft, a lfollower having a bearinv near the periphery of the ribbon-spool, and a device coacting with said follower and one of said arms, adjustable by a screw, for varying the distance from the end of the ribbon at which' the reverseshall become effective.

20. In a; typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination with Ya ribbon and ribbon-spools, .of means for,` rotating said spools, and means for reversing the rotation of said spools, the

last named means comprising a tubular shaft surrounding the spool shaft, an arm at either end of said tubular shaft, a stationary arm whose free end is nearl'the periphery of the spool, a follower having a bearing on said stationary arm, and an arm movable around said bearing, controlled by a screw and screw 'threads for varying the distance from the end of the ribbon at which the reverse shall become effective.

21. In a. typewriting machine and in a ribbon-reversing mechanism, the combination of a ribbon and ribbon-spools, a gearcarrying, gear-driven shiftable shaft, a geardriven non-shiftable shaft mounted on and revolving around said shiftable shaft in a reverse direction to its rotation, a gear connected to the spring-drum for driving said shafts, a plate provided with oppositelyacting inclined faces mounted on and rotating with said non-shiftable shaft, a disk on said non-shiftable shaft, a cylinder secured to and movable with theshiftable shaft surrounding the non-shiftable shaft, springpressed impingers mounted in and revolving with said cylinder, a spring-pressed latch coacting with said disk, a ring or band surrounding said cylinder, a transversely movable rod co-acting with said ring or band, a tubular, shaft surrounding the spool-shaft provided with arms, andv an adjustable follower coacting with said arms for the pur-I pose specified. A

Signed-at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk, andfStat/e of Virginia, this 31st day of August, A. D. 1909.

Guo. M. KITzi-ULLER.

Witnesses:

HENRY L. SIMPSON, G. .W. BAKER. 

